THE JOY OF MAGGIE VALLEY by Roger C. Haynes Hidden away in the growing western mountains of NC is a little spot of heaven that I have urged you to investigate time and time again. After I did my first car show there I have not missed a one. I had heard of it, but like so many I would say, "perhaps next year." After several summers of that and acquiring a better inventory, when I started doing shows more frequently, I took the plunge.... "Great''"' This year was no let down. Despite the fact that the ALPCA Convention was beating down the door and my obligations to attend that show, I set out for Maggie Valley at 4:AM on Thursday July first. That would have me at the show anout 7:AM for entry, and to meet my constant advertiser Roland Rhodes from near by Canton NC who comes early to mow the grass at my spot. He showed up right on time but the show did not open to just a little before 8:AM. Rolands son, and his buddy provided the grass cutting while the three of them later pitched in to help set up the TNS Tent. Thanks fellers!!! The weather was predicted to be hot and showers likely, but the only rain we really got was late saturday after the show had stopped for the day. We had a shower that cooled things off some but increased the humidity. Sales,,, well I had a great show! Sold some stuff I'd been hauling for the better part of a year and lined my ALPCA Convention wallet with enough to pay for that trip and motel bill etc., even if I didn't sell a single plate at the convention. As soon as you reach Maggie you start seeing familiar faces. Former neighbors as well as buyers who come to other shows I do. You can forget having a motel room at this show unless you book it in advance, the fourth of July holiday eats up the available rooms at the dozens of motels that line the roads in Maggie Valley. There is a tourist attraction for kids there called Ghost Town, and you are but a short drive from the new Gambling Casino owned and operated by the Cherokees. Also you are not far from the Wanyesville community where there are super markets, fast food places and a few more motels for the tourists. This week end they are always adorned with classic cars, antiques and my personal favorite, Street Rods! I didn't really shop at Maggie Valley's car show, I stayed pretty well under my tent, occasionally sharing it with weary collectors who come by to borrow a chair and perhaps have a cool drink. Despite being in the mountains, Maggie Valley is traditionally HOT, this year was no exception. Many of you will remember it was at this show in the mid 90's that I ventured next door to use the phone on Sunday morning and had a run in with the meanest mouth in the mountains, I think that story in TNS was called Skirmish at the Campgrounds. No less than three members of the Mountaineer Antique Auto Club stopped by to say, "Hey, I remember you,,, been over to the camp grounds yet???" then they laugh and recall that I sent the club several copies of the story once it was written for the magazine. Yup, Maggie has memories for me too... Didn't see Ted Cline there this year, like I said, I didn't leave the tent much, also noticeably missing were Dave and Pettie Carmichael, choosing not to make the trek, causing me to answer the question 642 times, "Where's Dave?"... Still I gave his name to a dozen or so collectors who have plates to paint. For repainted plates on hand, Joe Ledford did show up from North Carolina. Since I only saw him once during the show, I assume he had brisk sales too. You can certainly see a lot at Maggie. The vendors across from me brought in two cars from Nebraska. A model A coupe in primer, an older starter project in running condition. They also had a complete 39' Ford standard coupe. If I remember correctly the "A" sold Friday and the '39 was sold Saturday. Other old cars lined some of the spaces including an AMC Pacer with a clever little sign that rang true, "You won't see one of these every day!" There was on the field (It's a pasture actually except at car show time) a 57 Chevrolet wagon that was custom built like an Airport limo. Three doors on one side and two on the other on an extended frame and only needed refurbishing to look pretty snazzy. I'd like to have that myself but by Friday morning it was sold. This is a busy show and many people find great goodies here. One of the most asked for items are Tennessee plates. Since Maggie valley is located just about twenty miles from Tennessee there are always Tennessee collectors and old car buffs here seeking the harder and harder to find Tennessee issues. Shape of the state plates are in very high demand here! Below is another feature of many car shows, service station stuff. There were several booths filled with old pumps and signs, including one manned by long time TNS reader Bob Burbage of Santee SC. I had just seen Bob the week before at Tom Macks Show in Charlotte NC where we again had another great weekend of sales and seeing old friends. Both of these shows are heavily advertised in TNS so when you see the ads start popping up, you need to write and reserve a space to come and join us in the fun. I camp out in Big Hoss at this Maggie show. Its a bit warm in the evening, but long before sun-up you'll be hunting a blanket. In the photo below you will see a couple of silver topped canopy's. These are very handy and serve you well if you take care of them. The cost is variable depending on how nice a rig you buy but the benefit is priceless when you feel the difference the reflective silver top makes over your tables and wares. The TNS tent is red and white striped, but I have learned to toss a silver top over that and tie it down, works just great. Other notables walking the field at Maggie were Jeff Francis from Florida and Ralph Triplett from the NC Mountains. Saturday I was paid a visit by Richard Baucom from Lincolnton NC who added quite a few plates to his growing NC type sets from my trade stock, Thanks Richard!!! All too soon Sunday rolls around and it's time to think about packing up and getting home, Chattanooga would start in nine days, so I had things to do. Richard Fawcett showed up just on Sunday to help me take down the tent and display a few of his NC plates and US Graphics for sale. He did quite well considering how long he was there. Next year on the weekend of the 4th, don't call TNS looking for me, but you re more than welcome to come to Maggie and soak up some shade in the TNS Tent.